Tape applying device

ABSTRACT

A device for automatically applying a length of tape to a cardboard box includes a cut off arm that has a cutting disposition and a safety disposition. When an active cylinder included in the device is not active, the cut off arm is in a safety disposition. When the cylinder is active, the cut off arm is in a cutting disposition, and may swing to cut off a length of tape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices for applying lengths of pressure-sensitive adhesive-coated tape to objects such as boxes.

An example of typical devices for applying adhesive coated tape is described in described in Vasilakes et. al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,140. Such a type of device is commonly used to seal boxes filled with merchandise. The boxes are driven past the device by a conveyor, and the device applies tape to close the box, preparing it for shipping. Typically, these devices include an application member such as a roller for supporting an end of the tape with the adhesive side disposed outwardly in a contact position such that the tape end contacts the box moving towards the tape. Upon such contact, the tape end adheres to the box. As the box moves, the box pulls the tape from the device and the application member presses the tape against the exterior surface of the box. As the box moves past the device, the applied length of tape is severed from the supply length of tape by a cutting arm, which is pivotably attached to the device and usually held in a recessed position until the box edge passes, allowing the cutting arm to extend and sever the tape. The tape adjacent a newly severed end with the application member is moved back to its initial contact position for contact by the next box on the conveyor.

The application member and cutting arm are pivotally mounted proximate the path of the boxes through the application machine. After the leading surface of the box contacts the tape on the application member, the application member and the cutting arm pivot about a pivot point, allowing the distal end of the application member to follow the contour of the box and press the tape sequentially against the leading vertical surface of the box, then along a top horizontal surface of the box defined by adjacent edge portions of abutted cover flaps of the box, and then over a trailing, vertical surface of the box. The cutting arm then swings outward and nicks the tape, causing it to be cut, with any remainder finally applied to the box.

Both the application member and the cutting arm typically rely on biasing elements (e.g., springs) and extend into the path the box will take to through the device, relying on the box structure itself to push the application member and the cutting arm into a recessed position relative to the device, and allowing the box to move through the device and receive tape. The biasing elements provide a biasing force against the box as it moves through the device.

Problems may occur with long, large, or thin-walled boxes, or boxes with contents that do not provide adequate support to the edge portion of the cover flaps that are to be taped. In such cases, the cover flaps cannot adequately support the biasing force applied by a pivotally mounted application member in combination with the cutting arm. As the application member and cutting head leave the leading edge of the box and approach the mid-section of the box, the force pushes the application member and/or cutting arm into the box flaps, thus spreading flaps inward and apart from each other. Sealing tape, in such circumstances, will not be applied properly. In some instances, the application member spreads the cover flap so far apart that the application member or cut off arm breaks through into the interior of the box, requiring re-work and potentially damaging the contents of the box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device for applying a length of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape to an object such as a box, especially suitable for applying tape to long, large, or thin-walled boxes that are unsupported by the interior contents of the box, e.g. flimsy or underfilled boxes. A knife assembly located on the distal end of a cut off arm is in a safety disposition in an ambient, non-energized state. In such state, the cut off arm assumes a retracted state relative to the operational plane of an associated tape cartridge, and biased inward to the cartridge, disallowing it to swing outward from the device to cut a length of tape. Upon sensing a box in the proper position relative to the device, a control unit provides signals that activate a cylinder, causing the cut off arm to move from the safety disposition to a cutting disposition, by way of counteracting a first biasing mechanism associated with the safety disposition. The cutting disposition brings a second biasing mechanism under compression (or tension) relative to the cut off arm and the device, thereby providing forces tending it to swing outward from the device, cutting any length of tape that is present.

The device, typically a cartridge-style tape head, includes a body and a mechanism for applying the length of tape to an exterior surface of the box, as well as a mechanism for cutting the length of tape from a supply roll of tape. The mechanism for applying the tape is mounted within the body and is movable between a first tape dispensing position and a second tape dispensing position. The mechanism for applying the tape dispenses the tape along an oncoming and exiting vertical surface of the object while in the first dispensing position, and dispenses along the top horizontal surface of the box at the second dispensing position. A retaining mechanism retains the mechanism for applying tape in the second dispensing position such that the movement of the mechanism for applying towards the object is restricted.

The present invention also includes a method for applying a length of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape to an object moving along a predetermined path. The method includes applying a first portion of a length of tape to a first leading surface of an object and then applying a second portion of the length of tape to a mid-portion of the object. An application mechanism whose movement towards the box is restricted during application of the second portion of the tape applies tape to an object such as a box having cover flaps, the cover flaps are not spread apart by the application mechanism resulting in the cover flaps being taped in a substantially abutting relationship. The remaining portion of the tape is then applied to a trailing surface of the object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a box sealing device.

FIG. 2 is a cartridge for a box sealing device, of the prior art.

FIG. 3 is a cartridge for a box sealing device showing a box to be sealed, with a cut off arm in a safety disposition.

FIG. 4 is a cartridge for a box sealing device showing a box being sealed, with a cut off arm in a cutting disposition but still retracted due to counter forces associated with the presence of the box.

FIG. 5 is a cartridge for a box sealing device showing a box being sealed, with a cut off arm in a cutting disposition and extended outwardly away from the operational plane of the cartridge.

FIG. 6A is a simplified rendering of a cylinder and coupler in one embodiment.

FIG. 6B is a simplified rendering of a cylinder and coupler in one embodiment.

FIG. 6C is a simplified rendering of a cylinder and coupler in one embodiment.

FIG. 6D is a simplified rendering of a cylinder and coupler in one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A box sealing device 10, for sealing boxes with pressure sensitive tape in advance of, e.g., shipping, is shown in FIG. 1. A user introduces an unsealed box 15 to the right side of the device by placing the box on rollers 20. Worker then pushes the box into device 10 until a sensor on the device senses the presence of the box. Pistons in the device's vertical support arms then bring upper application assembly 30 into contact with box. Rolls of pressure sensitive tape, one upper (25 a) and one lower (25 b), provide a supply of tape to upper and lower tape application heads, which apply a length of pressure sensitive tape to seams on the upper and lower surfaces of the box as the box moves through the device, sealing the box. The length of tape is then cut. Automated rollers may help to advance to box through the device. A variety of sensors are incorporated into box sealing device, including various sensors to detect the presence and movement of a box through sealing device. The active elements are communicatively coupled to, and controlled by, a controller, which is a computer, a programmable logic controller, or similar.

In modern box sealing devices, the application heads (of which there are two—an upper and a lower), adopt a modular design whereby they may be installed into a machine, or taken out of a machine (for service), very quickly, with replacements on hand and ready to be installed in a pinch. Such a tape head is referred to as a cartridge-style tape head, or just a cartridge. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 uses such cartridge-style tape heads, but this detail is not readily discernable in the figure detail.

A cartridge includes much of the mechanics needed to apply a length of tape from a roll of tape to a portion of the front edge of the box, the top (or bottom, in the case of a lower cartridge) seam of the box, then a portion of the trailing edge of the box, and then cut the length of tape. Modern box sealing systems usually incorporate a cartridge-style design, to facilitate quick removal and installation if one of the tape head components were to break or malfunction, or otherwise need inspection or maintenance.

A typical cartridge configuration 10 of a tape head of the prior art is shown in FIG. 2. Upper cartridge 52 and lower cartridge 54 are shown, in their approximate relative orientation as they would occupy in a device such as device 10 in FIG. 1, the body 62 of which is shown cut away to reveal the lower cartridge. Tape rolls 56 and 58 supply a constant length of pressure sensitive adhesive-backed tape, which is wound through the internal rollers of upper and lower cartridges to apply tape to box 60. Leading edges of tape lengths 57 and 59, with their adhesive side facing the incoming box 60, are shown. The tape head includes a leading roller 64, which starts application of the length of tape to a leading vertical surface and top of box 60, as well as a trailing roller 66, which finishes application of the length of tape to a trailing vertical surface of box 60, as the box passes by the cartridge moving from right to left, through the device. Cutting arm 68 includes a blade which cuts the length of tape once the trailing edge of the box passes by. Leading and trailing rollers 64 and 66, as well as cutting arm 68, are held in an extended position relative to the path of the box by biasing elements, typically coil springs, such that the presence of the box and the force it exerts as it moves through the device causes them to retract into the cartridge but still apply forces to the surface of the box.

The same basic setup is repeated in lower cartridge 54, except facing upward. Typically, upper and lower cartridges can be used interchangeably, and swapping them out with replacement cartridges takes a matter of minutes.

Some boxes do not work well with the design of the prior art. This is because the design of the prior art assumes a relatively strong, well-filled box which can reliably counter the forces associated with the biasing elements of the forward and trailing rollers, as well as that of the cutting arm. For example, flimsy, underfilled, large, or poorly constructed boxes may not be able to support the forces associated with the tape head's rollers and cutting arms, which may push the box surface inward toward the box's interior, resulting in poor tape application and potentially damage to the box and its contents. This issue may be compounded by industry requirements for throughput, that is, moving the box through the machine as quickly as possible. If the box surface cannot adequately support the forces of the two rollers and the cutting arm, the tape head elements may crush or damage the box, or the cutting arm may extend and prematurely cut the tape, before sealing the entire box seam.

One approach to deal with the problem of flimsy or underfilled large boxes is to selectively reduce the spring-based biasing forces associated with either of the two rollers, and/or the cutting arm. For example, air cylinders may be used to, upon sensing the presence of a box to be taped, to retract the rollers (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,384 Reichert, U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,786 Lerner) or the cutting arm (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,140 Vasilakes). Another approach is to have the cut-off arm's cutting motion completely controlled by a pneumatic cylinder, which is triggered upon sensing the trailing edge of the box, thereby extending outward from the cartridge to cut the tape (e.g. Juichi JP2007261774).

An improved tape head has been discovered that, in one embodiment, uses biasing forces to hold a tape cut off arm in a retracted position relative to the operational plane of the cartridge (which is usually the operational plane of the application device), and includes an active element (e.g. a pneumatic cylinder) which, causes the tape cut off arm into a cutting disposition. The tape cut off arm, once in the cutting disposition, exerts an outward force against a passing box's surface, and once the trailing box surface passes the arm, the biasing force allows the arm to pivotably swing into its extended position, thereby cutting the length of tape.

This configuration may in some embodiments improve the safety of the cut off arm, both as it would be used in a tape application device (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1), or as a cartridge, which is often taken out of the tape application device and carried around a manufacturing facility's boxing operation area for repair or replacement. For example, in tape heads of the prior art, most cutting arms are spring loaded and outwardly extended when the application machine's power is off (as shown in FIG. 2), thus extending a knife into the working path of boxes, but also into the path of workers. Even when prior art devices include a pneumatic cylinder to assist in countering the forces of the cut off arm (for example, Vasilakes), in an ambient state (that is, not activated or energized), the cut off arm is spring biased and extends outwardly from the plane of the tape application device (see, for example, cutting arm 68 in prior art FIG. 2 extends outwardly, into the path of a box, even when the machine is not under power). In cartridge-style tape heads, where the cartridge is removed and replaced and moved about a shipping facility, having outwardly extended, spring-loaded cutting arms is not desirable from a worker safety perspective.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of one embodiment of an improved cartridge style tape head 100 that in some embodiments increases safety over tape heads of the prior art, and can in some embodiments reliably seal large, flimsy, or underfilled boxes. In a non-operational state, that is, when the cartridge's active components are not connected to energy sources, such as electricity or compressed air, in some embodiments, its cut off arm either does not extend past the operational plane 122 of the tape head cartridge, or only does so minimally, thus avoiding dangers associated with a knife protruding into a work area. Though shown in this FIG. 3 as an upper cartridge, with the operational plane 122 extending horizontally underneath the cartridge (that is, this tape head would seal the top of a box when installed in box sealing system as shown in FIG. 1), the cartridge 100 can also be installed as the lower cartridge in a box sealing device, the tape application assemblies then facing upward, to seal the underside of a box. Body 102 comprises a frame, typically metal or other durable material, to which components of the tape head are fastened, shown in FIG. 3 with the viewer side metal plate cut away to reveal interworking. Front roller assembly 105 holds a length of pressure sensitive adhesive-backed tape 104, pulled from tape roll 107. The length of pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed tape winds through various rollers 109 (some not shown in the Figure), to be positioned into the path of an incoming box, adhesive side facing the incoming box. Rear roller assembly 108 is linked to front roller assembly 108 through roller linkage 103, such that if one of the roller retracts due to forces associated with the presence of a box moving transverse the operational plane of the cartridge, the other will as well. Front and rear roller assemblies 105 and 108 include arms, the distal ends of which include the rollers shown extending beyond the operational plane of tape head 100. The arms are pivotably mounted to body 102 at front mounting point 123 (for front roller assembly 105) and rear mounting point 125 (for rear roller assembly 108), such that they pivot from the extended position (as shown in this FIG. 3), to a retracted position (as shown in further Figures), upon encountering forces associated with a box moving into and transverse the operational plane of the tape head (from right to left in FIG. 3). Front and rear roller assemblies are biased to an extended position by biasing element 126. Because roller linkage 103 mechanically couples front and rear roller assemblies at pivot points on each, only one biasing element 126 is needed to serve both front and rear roller assemblies in the setup shown in FIG. 3, however, more biasing elements may be implemented as needed in support of other configurations. Biasing elements, as such terminology is used herein, comprise springs (compression, extension, torsion, constant force, etc.) or functionally equivalent devices, such as elastic bands, which in compression or tension provide a force on an element, toward a resultant position. Biasing elements may be any suitable mechanism which provides a suitable force. Most typically, biasing elements used in cartridges are springs (coil, compression, extension, torsion, etc.).

Tape cut off arm 110 is pivotably mounted to body 102 at cut off arm mount point 114. Distal end 112 of tape cut off arm includes a knife 113, which is a blade or other mechanism suitable for contacting pressure sensitive adhesive-backed tape and cutting or sufficiently nicking it such that it severs. Knife 113 typically includes a retractable sheath 115, pivotably mounted on arm 110 and including a biasing element (not shown) that allows the sheath to cover the cutting edge of knife 113 when it is not in use. Cylinder 120, which is pivotably mounted at connection point 101 to body 102, includes a piston 121 which is coupled to a coupler 130 via pin 131. Coupler 130 is a hollow cylinder that includes an internal extension spring 132, one end connected to the coupler proximate the pin 131, and the other end connected to rail assembly 135. Rail assembly may move forwards and backwards within the opening 136. The rail assembly is pivotably coupled to tape cut off arm 110 at pivot point 134. Cylinder 120 may be any type of cylinder, including pneumatic, electric, hydraulic or otherwise. In a preferred embodiment it is pneumatic. Some cylinders may include an internal spring which returns them to an ambient state of either extended or retracted in the absence of activation. The cylinder shown in the embedment of FIG. 3 is, in its ambient state, extended, and in its activated state it retracts. As described with respect to FIG. 6, many other configurations are possible, which variously employ cylinders which may retract or extend when activated.

Cylinder 120, in its “ambient” or non-activated state, is in a safety disposition, because it is held retracted relative to, or very minimally extended into, operational plane 122. Without activating cylinder 120, cut off arm 120 will not intrude beyond the operational plane 122 (or may intrude only very minimally), and is rendered non-functional as cut off device for trailing lengths of tape. In some embodiments, this is a safety feature because in order to function as a cut-off device, the system requires activation, and in the absence of activation (that is, in a safety disposition), the knife is retracted in the cartridge, and less prone to be involved in accidents such as an operator cutting his or her hand while clearing a box from the device or dealing with other issues. Top left corner of box 129 is shown bottom left; the box will move from right to left in subsequent figures. Box 120 is a cardboard box to be sealed by cartridge 100. As box 120 has not yet advanced far enough relative to the cartridge (that is, leftward), the cut off arm is still in non-cutting disposition.

Once the box encounters the paddle switch 140, a signal is received by a control unit (not shown) indicative of the presence of a box proximate paddle switch 140. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit waits until the trailing edge of box 129 has passed by switch 140 to activate cylinder 120, thus placing cut off arm 110 into a cutting disposition just as the trailing vertical surface of the box begins to pass beneath the cartridge. Cutting disposition is a state of cartridge 100 and particularly cut off arm 110 where the biasing forces acting on the cut-off arm will cause the arm to swing downward (or upward for a lower cartridge) beyond the operational plane 122 in the absence of a box, thus cutting any tape present. Once placed in a cutting disposition by activation of cylinder 120, the tape cut off arm 110 functions similarly to, or in some cases the same as, known tape cut off arms of the type activated by a biasing element, swinging out beyond the operational plane 122 when a box's trailing edge passes, to nick a length of tape, which is then pressed against the trailing vertical surface of the box by the second roller.

This design feature in some embodiments avoids the cut off arm 110 applying needless downward (or upward, in the case of a lower cartridge) forces to a large, underfilled, or weak box in its vulnerable, unsupported middle section. Instead, it allows such force to be minimally applied only to a minor portion of the box as it moves beneath the cartridge, and to an area that is less vulnerable to collapse because it supported by a side wall (the trailing vertical wall of the box). Once the trailing vertical surface of the box passes leftward, beyond cut off arm 110, cut off arm pivots downward due to biasing forces of biasing element 132, allowing knife 113 to swing forth and cut the piece of tape. The left side roller of cartridge 100 then finishes application of the now cut length of tape, applying it the upper portion of the trailing vertical surface of the box. A similar paddle switch 142 signals when a box has passed far enough leftward, and provides a signal which causes the cylinder to de-activate, thus returning the cut-off arm to it safety disposition. Though paddle switches are shown in FIG. 3, other sensors, such as optical sensors, could be similarly employed.

This design differs from some designs of the prior art (see, for example, element 110 of FIG. 12 of JP2007261773), which might rely exclusively on sensing a trailing edge of a box or a particular length of tape, then activate a cylinder at precisely the correct time, which causes a knife, directly coupled to such cylinder (twithought intervening biasing elements), to immediately thrust outward from a cartridge and cut the tape. In such systems, it is the cylinder itself which thrusts the knife outward to cut the tape, and the sensing and timing control circuits are often more complicated and costly that what is described herein. In such designs, if the trailing edge of the box is not properly identified, the knife may plunge directly into the box, damaging or destroying the contents therein. In contrast, the design shown in FIG. 3 uses the cylinder to put the cut off arm into a cutting disposition, but the thrust outward is brought into effect by the spring mechanism in coupler 130, which swings forth only when the box has passed. The cylinder is used to move cut off arm 110 from a safety disposition into a cutting disposition, but the actual action of the cut off arm associated with the cutting is brought into effect by a spring mechanism (biasing element 132), which is an approach that has proven reliable and cost effective.

FIG. 4 shows the cartridge of FIG. 3 as box 129 proceeds leftward, and as tape is now applied by taping heads 105 and 108, which have articulated upwards due to forces associated with the box moving proximate the tape head. The presence of box 129 has been sensed (as by paddle switch 140 or by other optical sensors), and a controller (not shown) causes cylinder 120 to activate, moving the cut off arm from a safety disposition to a cutting disposition. Particularly, the activation of cylinder 120 causes piston 121 to retract, thus shifting coupler 130 toward the cylinder, and putting spring 132 under tension, which causes a biasing force to be introduced to tape cut off arm 110, downward, onto the top horizontal surface of the box. Because the box is present, however, the cut off arm 110 cannot swing downward, beyond the operational plane 122 of the cartridge. In preferred embodiments, the cylinder 120 is only activated when the trailing vertical edge of the box is approaching the cartridge—that is, as late as is possible, so as to minimize introducing biasing forces against the top panel of the box unnecessarily.

FIG. 5 next shows box 129 moving leftward. Tape cut off arm, in a cutting disposition due to the activation of cylinder 120, rotates outward beyond the operational plane of the cartridge, cutting whatever tape is present, and the trailing roller pressed the cut length of tape onto the surface of the box. Trailing switch 132, upon sensing that the box has moved leftward beyond the cartridge, would cause a signal to be received by a controller, which would de-activate cylinder 120, moving the cut off arm into a safety disposition a la the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, ready for the next box to be taped.

Turning now to FIG. 6, various configurations of the cylinder and coupler design, shown in FIG. 3 in one preferred configuration, are shown. Generally, a cylinder that upon activation either extends or retracts (then returns to its non-active state via an internal spring, not shown) is paired with either a compression or extension spring in order to effect a state change in the cutting arm, from a safety disposition in a non-activated state, to a cutting disposition in an activated state. Many configurations are possible. FIG. 6A shows a progression of box 612 from right to left, past a simplified rendering of cutting arm 614. In view 610, cylinder 616 is, in its non-activated state, holds piston 617 in an extended state via an internal spring. Coupler 618 includes a spring 619, which is not in tension. The cut off arm 614 would sit above any operational plane associated with this rendering while the cylinder is not activated—on other words, the cut off arm is in a safety disposition.

The movement of box 612 from right to left brings us to view 620, where a sensor (not shown) has sensed the presence of the trailing vertical edge of the box, thereby causing a control unit to activate cylinder 616, pulling piston 617 inward along with housing 618, causing spring 619 to become in tension. This tension provides the cut off arm 614 to provide a biasing force downward on the top surface of boxy 612. In this state, the cut off arm 614 is in a cutting disposition and no longer a safety disposition.

Moving now to view 630, the box is shown having cleared the general area, and the cut off arm 614 is thereby propelled by the force of spring 619 to pivot downward, thereby cutting the trailing edge of any tape in the area. After the state shown in view 630, the control unit would cause the control unit to de-activate, thus returning to a safety disposition as shown in view 610. In subsequent figures, like-numbered figures that differ only in the first number refer to the same element unless otherwise noted. For example element 812 (FIG. 6C) is the same as box 612 (FIG. 6A).

FIG. 6B shows a further embodiment of the cylinder and coupler design. In this design, as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A (and by extension FIGS. 3 through 5) the cylinder 716 in its non-active, safety disposition state has its piston 717 retracted. Coupler 718 in this embodiment is coupled to the distal end of piston 717 via linkage member 737, which is pivotably coupled to coupler 718 at pin 731. In view 700, cylinder 716 is in its ambient, non-activated state; piston 717 is retracted and cut off arm 714 does not encroach on the path of box 712, which is approaching cut off arm 714 from right to left.

View 710 next shows the embodiment in a cutting disposition, by activating cylinder 716 to extend piston 717 outward, causing biasing mechanism spring 719 to come into tension, thereby exerting a force from cut off arm 714 downward, onto the top of the box.

Then in View 720, the cut off arm 714 is shown pivoting downward, cutting whatever trailing tape it encounters. At this point, a sensor would indicate that the box 712 has moved beyond the cut off arm and the cylinder would cease activation and return to a safety disposition as seen in view 700.

FIG. 6C shows an embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 6A, except the coupler 818 includes two springs 819A and 819B, which, upon activation of cylinder 816, move into tension and compression respectively, which in some embodiments may increase the biasing force of the cut off arm or allow for greater design flexibility.

FIG. 6D shows an embodiment like that shown in FIG. 6C, except that the piston 917's movement is intermediated by pully 927. In some embodiments this approach would afford greater design flexibility.

As shown in the various embodiments associated with FIGS. 6A through 6D, there are myriad design approaches that would allow for a safety disposition of a cut off arm in an ambient, non-activated state. In the embodiments shown, the ultimate cut off movement is still driven fundamentally by a biasing element, in the cases shown, a spring.

Embodiments and methods described herein include:

Embodiment a. A cartridge for use in a tape application device that applies a length of pressure sensitive adhesive-backed tape to a box moving along a path transverse an operational plane of the cartridge, the cartridge comprising:

-   -   a body;     -   a tape cut off arm pivotably attached to the body and having a         distal end;     -   a knife mounted toward the distal end of the tape cut off arm;     -   a first biasing mechanism coupled between the body and the tape         cut off arm that holds the knife in a first position;     -   an active element coupled between the body and the tape cut off         arm, that upon activation, applies a force to the cut off arm         that counters the first biasing mechanism; and,     -   a second biasing mechanism that, upon application of the force,         biases the cut off arm towards a second position.

Embodiment b. The cartridge of embodiment a, wherein the active element is a pneumatic cylinder.

Embodiment c. The cartridge of any of the above listed embodiments, wherein the first biasing mechanism is within the pneumatic cylinder.

Embodiment d. The cartridge of embodiment c, wherein the first biasing mechanism is a spring.

Embodiment e. The cartridge of any of the above listed embodiments, wherein the first position is a safety disposition, wherein the knife does not extend beyond the device's operational plane.

Embodiment f. The cartridge of embodiment e, wherein the second position is a cutting disposition, wherein the knife extends beyond the device's operational plane.

Embodiment g. The cartridge of embodiment f, wherein in cylinder has an active and inactive state, and in the inactive state, the first biasing mechanism holds the knife in the retracted position.

Embodiment h. The cartridge of embodiment a, wherein the first and second biasing mechanisms comprise springs.

Embodiment i. The cartridge of embodiment a, wherein the wherein the active cylinder comprises a pneumatic cylinder.

Embodiment j. The cartridge of embodiment a, wherein the active cylinder comprises an electric or hydraulic cylinder.

Embodiment k. The cartridge of embodiment i, further comprising:

-   -   a controller communicatively coupled to a first sensor and the         active cylinder.

Embodiment l. The cartridge of embodiment k, wherein the controller, in response to signals from the first sensor indicative of the presence of the box, provides an activation signal that causes the active cylinder to activate, thereby either extending or retracting an associated piston, and thus moving the cut off arm from a safety disposition to a cutting disposition.

Embodiment m. The cartridge of embodiment l, further comprising:

-   -   a length of pressure sensitive adhesive-backed tape and an         applicator arm, both coupled to the body, wherein the applicator         arm applies a length of pressure sensitive adhesive-backed tape         to boxes moving transverse the application plane of the         cartridge.

Embodiment n. The cartridge of embodiment m, wherein the activation signal corresponds temporally with when the box is orthogonal to the application plane.

Embodiment o. The cartridge of embodiment n wherein, while the box moves over the cartridge, the box is in mechanical communication with the tape cut off arm, and the presence of the box counters the second biasing mechanism, disallowing the second biasing mechanism from moving the cut off arm to the extended position.

Embodiment p. The cartridge of embodiment o, wherein the box has a trailing edge, and wherein, upon the trailing edge moving away from the cartridge, the second biasing mechanism moves the cut off arm into the extended position, cutting the applied length of tape.

Embodiment q. The cartridge of embodiment p, wherein, after the trailing edge has passed the cartridge, the controller is programmed to cause the active cylinder to cease activation.

Embodiment r. A cartridge for application of a length of tape to a box and having an operational plane, comprising:

-   -   a body;     -   a cut off arm having a first state and a second state;     -   a cylinder coupled between the body and the cut off arm; and     -   wherein the cylinder, upon activation, moves the cut off arm         between a first state and a second state, and wherein the first         state holds the cut off arm within of the operational plane, and         wherein the second state biases the cut off arm to extend beyond         the operational plane; and,     -   and wherein, in the second state, a spring is used to bias the         cut off arm to beyond the operational plane.

Method A. A method of applying a length of pressure sensitive adhesive-backed tape to a box, comprising:

-   -   moving the box transverse to an application plane of a tape         applicator cartridge, the box having a leading and trailing         substantially vertical surface, and wherein the tape applicator         cartridge comprises:         -   a body;         -   a tape cut off arm pivotably attached to the body and having             a distal end;         -   a knife mounted toward the distal end of the tap cut off             arm;         -   a first biasing mechanism coupled between the body and the             tape cut off arm that holds the knife in a retracted             position relative to an operational plane of the cartridge;         -   a cylinder coupled between the body and the tape cut off arm             having an activated and passive state corresponding to a             cutting disposition and safety disposition of a cut off arm,             respectively, and wherein in the activated state, they             cylinder applies a force to the cut off arm that counters             the first biasing mechanism;         -   a second biasing mechanism that, in the active state, biases             the cut off arm towards an extended position relative to the             operational plane of the cartridge;         -   a length of pressure sensitive tape; and,         -   an applicator arm coupled to the body;     -   sensing the presence of the box with a sensor that is         communicatively coupled to an electronic controller, which is in         turn communicatively coupled to the active cylinder;     -   upon sensing the presence of the box, providing signals to the         active cylinder causing it to move to the activated state and         into a cutting disposition;     -   cutting the length of pressure sensitive tape; and,     -   providing signals to cause the active cylinder to move to the         passive state and safety disposition.

Method B. The method of method A, wherein in the passive state, the is biased by the first biasing element to not extend beyond the application plane.

Method C. The method of method B, wherein the forces associated with cutting of the length of pressure sensitive tape are provided by the second biasing mechanism.

Method D. The method of method C wherein the first and second biasing mechanisms comprise springs.

Method E. A method of applying a length of tape to a box with an applicator device operated by a control unit, the applicator device including a tape cut off arm that cuts the length of tape, comprising:

-   -   receiving, by the control unit, signals indicating the box in a         location proximate the applicator device;     -   providing, by the control unit, signals to change the state of a         tape cut off arm assembly from a safety disposition to a cutting         disposition, wherein in the cutting disposition, a cylinder         activates a biasing mechanism coupled to the cut off arm,         allowing the cut off arm, under force of the biasing mechanism,         to swing outward from the applicator device and cut the length         of tape.

Method F. The method of method E, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises one or more springs.

Method G. The method of method F, wherein activates a biasing mechanism comprises using the cylinder to cause the one or more springs to come under tension or compression, thereby applying a force to the cut off arm, biasing it outward from the applicator.

Method H. The method of method G, wherein the cylinder is a pneumatic cylinder.

Method I. The method of method F, wherein in the safety disposition, the cut off arm assembly is not biased to swing outward from the applicator device.

Method J. The method of method I, wherein in the safety disposition, the cut off arm assembly is biased to swing inward, toward the applicator device. 

1. A cartridge for use in a tape application device that applies a length of pressure sensitive adhesive-backed tape to a box moving along a path transverse an operational plane of the cartridge, the cartridge comprising: a body; a tape cut off arm pivotably attached to the body and having a distal end; a knife mounted toward the distal end of the tape cut off arm; a first biasing mechanism coupled between the body and the tape cut off arm that holds the knife in a first position; an active element coupled between the body and the tape cut off arm, that upon activation, applies a force to the cut off arm that counters the first biasing mechanism; and, a second biasing mechanism that, upon application of the force, biases the cut off arm towards a second position.
 2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the active element is a pneumatic cylinder.
 3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the first biasing mechanism is within the pneumatic cylinder.
 4. The cartridge of claim 3, wherein the first biasing mechanism is a spring.
 5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first position is a safety disposition, wherein the knife does not extend beyond the device's operational plane.
 6. The cartridge of claim 5, wherein the second position is a cutting disposition, wherein the knife extends beyond the device's operational plane.
 7. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein in cylinder has an active and inactive state, and in the inactive state, the first biasing mechanism holds the knife in the retracted position.
 8. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first and second biasing mechanisms comprise springs.
 9. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the wherein the active cylinder comprises a pneumatic cylinder.
 10. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the active cylinder comprises an electric or hydraulic cylinder.
 11. The cartridge of claim 9, further comprising: a controller communicatively coupled to a first sensor and the active cylinder.
 12. The cartridge of claim 11, wherein the controller, in response to signals from the first sensor indicative of the presence of the box, provides an activation signal that causes the active cylinder to activate, thereby either extending or retracting an associated piston, and thus moving the cut off arm from a safety disposition to a cutting disposition.
 13. The cartridge of claim 12, further comprising: a length of pressure sensitive adhesive-backed tape and an applicator arm, both coupled to the body, wherein the applicator arm applies a length of pressure sensitive adhesive-backed tape to boxes moving transverse the application plane of the cartridge.
 14. The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the activation signal corresponds temporally with when the box is orthogonal to the application plane.
 15. The cartridge of claim 14 wherein, while the box moves over the cartridge, the box is in mechanical communication with the tape cut off arm, and the presence of the box counters the second biasing mechanism, disallowing the second biasing mechanism from moving the cut off arm to the extended position.
 16. The cartridge of claim 15, wherein the box has a trailing edge, and wherein, upon the trailing edge moving away from the cartridge, the second biasing mechanism moves the cut off arm into the extended position, cutting the applied length of tape.
 17. The cartridge of claim 16, wherein, after the trailing edge has passed the cartridge, the controller is programmed to cause the active cylinder to cease activation.
 18. A cartridge for application of a length of tape to a box and having an operational plane, comprising: a body; a cut off arm having a first state and a second state; a cylinder coupled between the body and the cut off arm; and wherein the cylinder, upon activation, moves the cut off arm between a first state and a second state, and wherein the first state holds the cut off arm within of the operational plane, and wherein the second state biases the cut off arm to extend beyond the operational plane; and, and wherein, in the second state, a spring is used to bias the cut off arm to beyond the operational plane. 